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Liverpool team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Aston Villa – Injured youngster misses out
Liverpool are set to field a completely changed starting XI made up of Under-23s players when they face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night (7.45pm).
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Liverpool will rotate their entire squad when they face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup at Villa Park. Jurgen Klopp has opted to take the senior players to Qatar for the Club World Cup so the Under-23s have a rare chance to write history and book their spot in the last four.
Liverpool are the victims of their own success this season with the Reds still fighting for silverware in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup, leading to a congested fixture list.
And the Reds’ triumph in the Champions League last season also ensured a lucrative invitation to the Club World Cup, which is being held in Qatar this year.
However, progressing into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals ensured a fixture clash that could not be avoided due to Liverpool’s continued success in Europe.
And Jurgen Klopp made the decision to take his entire senior squad to the prestigious event in the Middle East, as opposed to splitting his team up to cover both competitions.
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Under-23s boss Neil Critchley has therefore been entrusted with the task of overseeing Liverpool’s fortunes on home turf, with Tuesday’s starting XI set to be comprised entirely of the youth academy players.
However, the Reds have fielded an inexperienced side throughout this season’s competition with the likes of Harvey Elliott and Rhian Brewster featuring in both the 2-0 win over MK Dons and the 5-5 thriller with Arsenal.
Unfortunately, both Brewster and Adam Lewis are reportedly injured and look set to miss out on their biggest match of the season so far.
Meanwhile, Under-23s captain Curtis Jones and fellow youngster Nico Williams have both travelled to Qatar with the senior squad – meaning they will not feature either.
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Caoimhin Kelleher will start in goal while Ki-Jana Hoever should line up at right-back, with the 17-year-old having made his full senior debut earlier this season at Stadium:mk.
Summer signing Sepp van den Berg is expected to be joined by Morgan Boyes or Tom Clayton in central defence, while Yasser Larouci should start at left-back.
Pedro Chirivella and Herbie Kane have already featured in the competition this season while Isaac Christie-Davies is set to complete the midfield trio.
They will deputise for the second-string midfield of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana and Naby Keita who played in both previous rounds.
Elliott will start on the right flank while Luis Longstaff will line up on the opposite wing and fellow teenager Layton Stewart is expected to lead the line.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Villa, Critchley said: ”It should be a great opportunity for all of us.
“It will be a privilege to lead out a Liverpool team at a fantastic stadium against great players," Critchley said.
"I'm really interested to see how our boys do. I'll be really proud to lead our boys out and I hope they play to their capabilities because if they do, that's where I get the most satisfaction from."
As for Villa, Tyrone Mings will not be risked due to a hamstring issue while Conor Hourihane and Jed Steer are also injury doubts.
Jonathan Kodjia should replace Wesley while Keinan Davis, Neil Taylor, Ezri Konsa and Henri Lansbury will hope to feature for Dean Smith’s side.
Villa are currently 17th in the Premier League after their latest defeat to Sheffield United at the weekend, only clear of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are 10 points ahead of Leicester in the Premier League and the Under-23s second in Premier League 2, just a couple of points behind Arsenal.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs Aston Villa – Carabao Cup
(4-3-3): Kelleher; Hoever, Boyes, Van den Berg, Larouci; Chirivella, Christie-Davies, Kane; Elliott, Longstaff, Stewart